The University of Evansville women's basketball team overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to force overtime, but the Purple Aces saw their season end with an 83-74 overtime loss to Southern Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Thursday night at The Family Arena in St. Charles.

Senior Samantha Heck had a career night for Evansville (9-21), recording career highs with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Heck finished 11-for-21 from the field and 6-for-6 at the free throw line and hauled in 11 of her rebounds in the first half. The Auxvasse native finished her stat line by posting two assists, two steals and a game-high three blocks. Fellow senior Taylor Ware and sophomore Mallory Ladd also finished in double figures, scoring 10 points apiece.

Heck tied the game at 9-9 with a pair of free throws at the 11:55 mark in the first half and freshman Laura Friday gave Evansville its first lead, 12-9, by banking in a three-pointer from the top of the arc as the shot clock expired with 9:44 remaining in the half.

Heck finished her career with 1,331 career points, 745 career rebounds and 83 career blocks.